The Department of Energy (DOE) has finalized the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA), a policy framework aimed at developing the electric vehicle industry in the country.
“I am happy to share that I have already signed the IRR for the Electric Vehicles, which was prepared by our Energy Utilization Management Bureau (EUMB).
I want to congratulate Director Patrick Aquino and his team for ensuring that we meet the deadline for the issuance of the IRR as required by law. Other challenges remain in implementing and issuing additional implementing rules and regulations. Still, I am sure, and I am confident that we will be able to move on those,” said Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla during the agency’s virtual flag raising ceremony held Monday.
Under Section 30 of the EVIDA, the DOE, together with the Department of Transportation and other relevant National Government Agencies, are mandated to develop the IRR of Republic Act 11697. The DOE said last August 18 that the promulgation of the EVIDA-IRR was targeted on September 8.
EVIDA seeks to incentivize the adoption of electric vehicles and charging stations in the country. It mandates a 5-percent EV share in corporate and government fleets, provision of dedicated parking slots, installation of charging stations in parking lots and gasoline stations, green routes, and provision of fiscal and non-fiscal incentives for EV manufacturing, and importation of charging station.
“As we transition to a sustainable low-carbon future, this is the right time to sit down together and gather our thoughts and ideas to help the transportation sector reduce its dependence on imported oil, especially amidst the volatility of fuel prices,” DOE-Energy Utilization Management Bureau Director Patrick Aquino said.
Aquino said separately that the IRR was signed last Friday and was published today. “It will be effective on September 20,” he said via text message.
The IRR shall apply to the EV industry comprising of the manufacture, assembly, importation, construction, installation, maintenance, trade and utilization, research and development, regulation of EVs, charging stations and related equipment parts and components, batteries, and related support infrastructure including its recycling, disposal, and handling of wastes.
Lotilla, during the flag ceremony, also mentioned the reforms that the agency has initiated. He cited the Energy Virtual One Stop Shop (EVOSS) system, which, he said, has to be expanded to include all other agencies.
On the part of the Energy Regulatory Commission, Lotilla said it has committed to speed up the implementation of EVOSS and to expand even beyond what is required by law.
“In other words, other processes that EVOSS does not cover would also be subject to timelines. And I think it is good to have this in mind, primarily since many structural reforms concern the energy sector. In the coming weeks and months, we will submit proposed Legislative and Executive Issuances to facilitate the needed reforms.”